News
Flooding Forces Evacuations Of Homes In Perry County
By: Atish Baidya
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Emergency officials in Perry County are shifting into recovery mode after flood waters forced some residents to evacuate their homes.
The county declared an emergency Tuesday morning because of flooding in the villages of Corning and Crooksville, according to Perry County Emergency Management Agency Director Rita Spicer.
Five buildings at the Village Green apartment complex were evacuated, according to Spicer. She also said 12 people utilized an emergency shelter set up at the Corning Civic Center. Thirty people went to Crooksville High School after a shelter opened there at 8 a.m.
Spicer said there were no injuries or deaths reported due to flood waters. Rescue crews were using john boats to get some people out of their homes. The water level rose to about four feet in some parts, completely covering cars, Spicer said.
Flood waters shut down State Routes 13, 93, 37, 595 and 216. Tatman's Road, North and South Valley Street and Main Street in Corning were also closed. Main Street and China Street were among the roads in Crooksville covered with water. Rail traffic also shut down through Crooksville. Flood waters also shut down a portion of State Route 13 near Glouster in Athens County.
Spicer said the first call related to the flooding came in around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday.
Flash flood watches are in effect for portions of Southeast Ohio including Athens, Perry, Morgan, Vinton and Washington counties until 8 p.m. Tuesday.